D&D 5E How would I build a character that is actually a set of twins?

[Slit518]

I want to create a character, but I want it to be a set of twins.

I am thinking Gnome twins that call themselves the Candy Cane Gnomes.

They are Wizards, probably Conjuration that also delves a little bit into Illusion.

I am thinking that their stats will be that or a normal character split between them. So for example their Strength score carrying capacity would be split between them. But they would both benefit from let's say a 12 Strength.

Their hit points should be split between them too! So if they are level 1 and have 8 HP, the gnomes actually have 4 HP a piece!

But what penalty should this have if 1 gnome goes down? Should the other gnome suffer a small penalty? Like -1 to all stats? (their Intelligence/Wisdom being higher when both are around is a representation of their shared knowledge, and they both babble to each other consistently, mostly never shutting up).

I am thinking one advantage they would have is they could split themselves on the battlefield, but each only gets a fraction of the movement, like perhaps the movement is bumped up to 30', but each gnome can only utilize the leftover movement. So if gnome 1 uses 20 feet of the 30 feet of movement, gnome 2 can only move 10 feet.

How would you guys build this concept?

 

[Hawk Diesel]

This is really difficult because unlike the other characters, you can literally be in two places at once. That can be pretty powerful all by itself. Additionally what happens with concentration spells? Does this allow the character to concentrate on two spells?

Personally, the only way I see this being a somewhat viable option would be with classes such as the Beast Master Ranger or the Artificer, as they have companions built into their class design. It isn't perfect, but I would recommend a wizard or sorcerer archetype the specifically allows for a companion, and it would be flavored as a twin. This gives you a mechanical chasis for your character and allows you the leeway to reskin and refluff the companion as a twin.

 

[Charlaquin]

This article may be of some interest to you, it’s about doing the same concept with monsters instead of PCs. Maybe you’ll find some ideas applicable to your own design.

 

[mrpopstar]

Simplest solution would be to create them both with the same stats, and treat one like a beastmaster's pet when in combat.

 

[Stalker0]

Yeah the the key issue is the action economy. If you can cast 2 spells a round it’s going to be broken

I agree with others on the companion reskinning

 

[The Crimson Binome]

There was a race like this in Dragon magazine, back in the 3.X days - the Dvati - and it later appeared in the Dragon Compendium. A quick check of their main racial ability shows:

• They count as one character for the purpose of gaining class levels, feats, and so on.
• Hit Points are split between them, so a level 1 Fighter with Con 12 would actually be two level 1 Fighters each with 5hp.
• They each have their own set of actions, but casting a spell requires both characters to spend their action on it. I didn't see, but I'm pretty sure that they act on the same initiative.
• Spell slots and limited-use class abilities are shared.
• Any effect which targets Self is shared by them, so they can both rage at once.
• Physical status effects aren't shared, so if one turns to stone then the other one is still fine. Negative levels are an exception to that, but those aren't a thing in 5E.
• Mental status effects, like charm, are shared. If one is dominated then both are dominated.
• If one dies (and stays dead), the other gets sick and dies within a few days.

Even with all that, and no stat adjustments, they still come out with a Level Adjustment of +1. There's no way to get around the fact that you have twice as many hands and can make twice as many attacks.

 

[Leatherhead]

For starters, this should be a custom subclass.
Additionally, the twins should be magically linked: not only do they share the same pools, but if one of then goes down, both of them go down.

 

[Hawk Diesel]

Here's something I just wrote up to assist with your character. I have no idea if its properly balanced, but it feels on point.

The Splintered Soul
This school of magic is unique from the rest. While most wizards spend their lives studying the Weave and specializing in the effects of particular aspects of magic, Wizards of the Splintered Soul turn inward. They cleave off a small portion of their soul and shape it into a creature that is simultaneously an extension of the Wizard, and a distinct entity in its own right. Doing so gives them abilities that are unachievable by other Wizards.

Soul Focus
Beginning when you select this school at 2nd level, your Arcane Companion acts as your spell focus. As long as your Arcane Companion is within 60ft of you and not incapacitated, you are able to cast spells as if you were holding an arcane focus.

Arcane Companion
Starting at 2nd level, you learn the Find Familiar spell if you don’t already know it. However, when you cast this spell, the familiar you summon is very different. It has the exact same statistics as you. As you increase in level or your statistics change (except from equipment), so to do the statistics of your Arcane Companion. Your Arcane Companion is conjured with no equipment, but can use any equipment you can. It cannot attune to magic items, though you can use one of your attunement slots and provide the item to be used by your Arcane Companion. Otherwise, your Arcane Companion functions exactly as a familiar from the Find Familiar spell.

Improved Spell Delivery
At level 6, your Arcane Companion can now deliver any spell as if it had cast the spell. Your Arcane Companion must be within 100ft of you, and it must use its reaction to deliver the spell when you cast it.

Unbreakable Bond
At level 10, your Arcane Companion’s benefits work regardless of distance so long as you are both on the same plane of existence. In addition, you can make any spell you cast that targets only you also target your Arcane Companion.

Shared Concentration
At level 14, your Arcane Companion can assist you in concentrating on spells. When you cast a concentration spell, you can use your Arcane Companion to maintain concentration of the spell on your behalf. The Arcane Companion makes any concentration checks as normal to maintain the spell, such as if it takes damage. This ability would allow you to cast another concentration spell, one maintained by you and the other maintained by your Arcane Companion. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

 

[Slit518]

There was a race like this in Dragon magazine, back in the 3.X days - the Dvati - and it later appeared in the Dragon Compendium. A quick check of their main racial ability shows:

• They count as one character for the purpose of gaining class levels, feats, and so on.
• Hit Points are split between them, so a level 1 Fighter with Con 12 would actually be two level 1 Fighters each with 5hp.
• They each have their own set of actions, but casting a spell requires both characters to spend their action on it. I didn't see, but I'm pretty sure that they act on the same initiative.
• Spell slots and limited-use class abilities are shared.
• Any effect which targets Self is shared by them, so they can both rage at once.
• Physical status effects aren't shared, so if one turns to stone then the other one is still fine. Negative levels are an exception to that, but those aren't a thing in 5E.
• Mental status effects, like charm, are shared. If one is dominated then both are dominated.
• If one dies (and stays dead), the other gets sick and dies within a few days.

Even with all that, and no stat adjustments, they still come out with a Level Adjustment of +1. There's no way to get around the fact that you have twice as many hands and can make twice as many attacks.

They would work most similar to this. I had no idea this were a thing, and am delighted to find out it were an option back in 3.5.

They would share the same Action economy, and they would share Concentration. I guess the only upside is they would have Advantage on Concentration checks.

Soul linked creatures should lose their sub-race ability! No sub-race for me!

Oh yeah, and if 1 died, the other would just be weaker...